WASHINGTON(AP) -- Moments before Ryan Zimmerman sent Brad Lidge's
fastball over the centerfield fence in the ninth inning, the
third baseman sent Adam Dunn a message.

Zimmerman fouled off a slider, looked at Dunn in the on-deck
circle and laughed before hitting a three-run homer to give the
Washington Nationals a 7-5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on
Saturday night.

"He let me know I'm not hitting again," Dunn said. "It's like,
'You don't get the win today."'

Trailing by one run with two men on base and one out, Zimmerman
came through on his promise. It was Zimmerman's seventh walkoff
home run since his debut in September 2005, more than anyone
else in that span, but even he doesn't know what's behind his
last-inning success.

"I wish I could tell you," Zimmerman said. "I don't know, I just
treat it like any other at-bat. I kind of think the pressure's
on him and not on me."

Dunn, however, would like a chance at his own game-winner now
and again.

"He said he's upset every time when that happens in front of
him," Zimmerman said. "Kind of upset. I don't know - I don't
know how to take that."

In the Phillies' clubhouse the mood was far less jovial. Lidge
(1-1) came on in the ninth and gave up a leadoff single to
Michael Morse and a walk to Adam Kennedy before Zimmerman's
drive. It was Lidge's fourth blown save of the year. In 2009 he
led the majors with 11 blown saves.

After the game, Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel was not
pleased when asked if it was time to change closers.

"I've heard you guys say that for two ... years now. I hear this
and that and this and that," Manuel said. "We try this guy. We
try that guy. We try this guy. Then I hear you (say) to me about
roles. 'Guys out of their roles.' All night long. Let's just
drop it right there. I've heard it - really. Two years I've
heard it."

Lidge has allowed 11 earned runs in 8 2-3 innings over his last
10 save opportunities.

"I guess you have to tip your hat every once in a while," Lidge
said. "I don't want to do that tonight, but I have to.
Hopefully, I'll get another chance to do it because I feel
pretty good."

The Phillies took a lead into the bottom of the ninth after
Carlos Ruiz had broken a 4-all tie in the top of the ninth with
an RBI single off Drew Storen (3-2). Ruiz also homered for the
Phillies.

"I owe Zim at least a dinner," Storen said. "That kind of left a
sour taste in my mouth."

Raul Ibanez homered in the seventh to tie it at 4, extending his
hitting streak to 10 games.

Ruiz cut Washington's lead to 3-2 in the sixth inning with his
third home run of the season, a solo shot.

Washington extended the lead in the bottom of the inning on Ian
Desmond's sacrifice fly. Domonic Brown made a diving catch on
the play with runners on second and third that likely saved a
run.

Philadelphia's Ryan Howard didn't play for the first time since
the final game of the 2009 regular season. The first baseman,
who is in a 0-for-14 slump, was replaced by Cody Ransom. Manuel
said Howard would return to the lineup Sunday.

The Nationals opened the game with five of the first seven
batters hitting singles off Phillies starter Joe Blanton,
including three consecutive two-out, run-scoring hits.

Before the game, rumors swirled about Dunn as several teams were
talking to the Nationals about acquiring the slugger. The trade
deadline passed without a deal, and Dunn received a large
ovation when his name was announced before his first at-bat.

"That was just one of those special things," Dunn said. "When I
retire, that's one of things that'll be at the top of my list to
remember."

NOTES: Jimmy Rollins extended his streak of successful stolen
base attempts to 24. Rollins was last caught stealing on July
22, 2009. ... Blanton was hit by a pitch by Joel Peralta in the
sixth inning, but home plate umpire Kerwin Danley ruled Blanton
intentionally moved his elbow into the path of the pitch. ...
Nationals RHP Steven Strasburg, on the 15-day DL on Thursday
with right shoulder inflammation, will throw in the outfield
before Sunday's game, and then again Monday before a bullpen
session Wednesday, manager Jim Riggleman said. ... Washington
announced the signing of Cuban RHP Yunesky Maya. ... The
Nationals will call up LHP John Lannan from Harrisburg to start
Sunday.